WASHINGTON (AP) — To hear the White House tell it, President Barack Obama has scant interest in politics as Republicans battle each other for the right to challenge him. But in reality, Obama is increasingly involved in his re-election, staying in regular contact with his campaign staff, raisi…

When Barack Obama arrives in Australia’s Northern Territory Thursday, the region’s chief minister Paul Henderson will greet and hand the American president a policy that insures him against a crocodile attack.